Mitch Marner not at practice after suffering injury in Wednesday’s loss to Columbus

After suffering an injury during Wednesday’s loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, rookie sensation Mitch Marner was not at Maple Leafs practice today. The injury occurred with about five minutes to go in the second period, as Marner tried to check Boone Jenner but slipped and tumbled into the boards. After the spill, Marner went to the dressing room, returned to the bench, and ultimately called it a night.

The 2015 fourth overall pick is leading the team in points, and has been making a serious case for Calder Trophy consideration.

This is obviously very unfortunate timing for Marner and the Leafs, as the team is heading into a crucial stretch of their schedule that’ll have major implications as to whether they make the playoffs or not. With the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders heating up, the playoff race in the Eastern Conference is going to be intense down the stretch.

We don’t know yet whether or not the injury is serious, but at practice, Marner’s spot on the second line was filled by Connor Brown and his spot on the first power play was filled by Josh Leivo. Marner went for an MRI on Thursday and the results will likely be made public at some point in time today, meaning we’ll know whether or not the Leafs need to make a roster move for this weekend’s games against Ottawa and Carolina.

Stan I hope they go the cautious route. The Raptors who have floundered for six weeks rushed Patrick Patterson and DeMar DeRozan quickly back from nagging injuries and presto had them sit out even longer. Let us not forget last year was the tear down, this year is year one of the rebuild. Marner’s health is more important than two points. So unless he is 95% ready to go simply rest him for the weekend.

I always enjoyed James Mirtle but his paper the Globe became unreadable so I left it along with thousands and thousands of others. They are begging me to resubscribe at $1.99 per week but when you slap the sports fan in the face with day old stories you are not going to get them back.